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Patented Aug. 2, I898. R. B. G. GARDNER.

APPLIANCE FOR ENABLING THE DEAF TO HEAR.

(Applicntion filed Nov. 18, 1897.)

(No Model.)

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RICHARD 13. G. GARDNER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPLIANCE FOR ENABLlNG THE DEAF TO HEAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 608,225 5, dated August2, 1898.

Application filed November 18, 1897. Serial No. 658,900. (No model) Toall whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RICHARD B. G. GARD- NER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at the city of Philadelphia, in the county ofPhiladelphia and State of Pennsylvania,have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Appliances for Enabling the Deaf to Hear, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to a mechanical appliance or device forenabling the deaf to hear; and in such connection my invention has forits objects, first, to provide a simple and effective means of conveyingto the internal ear direct through the maxillary and temporal bones byimpact of sound-waves against tympans or plates inserted in the month bythe superior and inferior maxillary bones through reflection and directcontact of sound-waves communicated to the temporal bone in which theinternal ear is situated, and, second, to provide a suitable applianceor device for application to the mouth to permit of speech by sound-waveconduction and reflection to be transmitted through the intervention ofthe teeth, maxillary and temporal bones direct to the internal ear toaid or facilitate the deaf to hear the speech transmitted to the person.

My invention, stated in general terms, consists of an appliance ordevice for aiding the deaf to hear by transmission of speech conveyedand reproduced through the internal ear.

The nature, scope, and characteristic features of my invention will bemore fully understood from the following description and theaccompanying drawings, illustrating a device or appliance adapted to beinserted and held in the mouth for transmitting speech by reproducedsound-waves to the temporal bone of the ear, to effect thereby hearingof the communicated and conveyed speech by the deaf.

Figure 1 is a side elevational View, partly in section, of a head,showing the upper and lower jaws, and also in application a device orappliance of my invention designed to enable the deaf to hear by the useof the same; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device or applianceof my said invention removed from the month.

In the drawings is illustrated a device or appliance found practicallyefficient for carrying out my invention adapted to convey to theinternal ear direct through the teeth, maxillary bones G and H, andtemporal bone M, or in the absence of teeth the maxillary and temporalbones G, H, and M, by contact and reflected sound-waves upon and againstupper and lower tympans or plates A and B to the maxillary and thetemporal bones to the auditory nerve in the field of the internal ear,the sound-wave reproductions of the articulatespeech transmitted throughsaid maxillary conductors being direct to the temporal bones and then tothe auditory nerve within the field of the internal ear N.

The bottom tympan or plate A is adapted to be fitted into the mouth 0,so as to span the top of the teeth a, and flanged at a, so as not tocompletely cover the faces of said teeth, and in front provided with acurved lug a fitting over the lower lip and extending down onto the chinp at a The rear portion of the plate is recessed at a in the directionin its position in the mouth of the throat-opening 13 The upper tympanor plate B is adapted to span the upper teeth I) by embracing the bottomof the same, but flanged at b, so as not to completely inclose the faceof the teeth, and the rear of said plate is provided with a semicircularrecess b These two tympans or plates A and B are coupled together bymeans of helical, spiral, or other suitable springs c in order toprevent displacement of the said plates A and B in the mouth, and alsoto permit of the quick introduction of the same into the month by asingle application, so as to be brought into position to permit ofsound-wave reproduction of the speech transmitted and conducted by themaxillary and temporal bones and reflected by the auditory nerve locatedin the field of the internal ear N, which, as practice has demonstrated,greatly aids or facili tates hearing by a deaf person of the articulatespeech so transmitted to such person.

Having thus described the nature and objects of my invention, what Iclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An apparatus for enabling the deaf to hear, comprising tympans orplates adapted to be placed in the mouth so as to contour with the teethleading to the superior and inferior maxillary bones to conveysound-waves to and by the temporal bones to the auditory nerve withinthe field of the internal ear and one of said tympans or plates extendedand contracted so as to fit over one of the lips, substantially as andfor the purposes described.

2. An appliance of the character described, comprising a flanged tympanor plate recessed in the rear thereof and adapted to contour with theteeth of the mouth and also to contour with the lip and extend onto theface or chin, substantially as and for the purposes described.

3. An appliance of the character described, comprising a tympan or plateflanged and RICHARD B. G. GARDNER.

\Vitnesses:

J. WALTER DOUGLASS, THOMAS M. SMITH.

